Hi! I've been a sonamy fan since I was a kid, and it always confused me the whole sonally debate. Is Sally just a comics character? Why is she shipped with Sonic? Is their romance true t their characters? Is Sally a better fit than Amy?
I don't know that much because I've never been a fan of comics in general, but I would like to know more by an expert like you! :D
Thanks for reading me!
Hey, Anon!
Thanks for the ask! I'm gonna start this off by saying that I am by no means an expert on Sally or any of the Archie characters (or any of the Archie Comic lore, tbh). That whole side of Sonic has never interested me for a number of reasons, and so I've always disengaged despite how much time I've spent with this franchise over the years. So, I invite anyone and everyone in on this discussion, as I am far from the most "official" person to ask.
That said, my understanding of Sally Acorn is that she and many of the other "Archie" characters we're familiar with (namely, the core freedom fighters--Sally, Motor the Walrus, Antoine D'Coolette, Bunny Rabbot--I think that's everyone?) were introduced to the franchise through the 90s Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon (known colloquially as Sonic SatAM). Amy and every other existing cast member of Sonic besides Eggman (Robotnik) and Tails weren't in that show, and at the same time, Sally is narratively pushed as the leading love interest for Sonic. This translated into the Archie comics, where (again, with my surface-level understanding) the relationship was explored in a number of ways.
Regarding whether Sally is a good fit for Sonic, I think the best way I can help you determine that is to direct you to comic writer Ian Flynn, himself, who has extensive experience writing for both pairings. He explains what, in his opinion, makes each pairing work and falter.
I'm linking to a condensed version of his discussion, which itself seems to have been lost to time, but it well-enough summarizes his ideas. These were words he said about a decade ago, but I'm fairly sure that he still stands by these takes.
(also, regarding a more recent "take"/"neutral approach" taken by Flynn, here's an interesting clip from his podcast. I bring this up here to add more credibility, of sorts, to Flynn's general stance on Sonamy, which I think retroactively adds validity to his opinions on Sonally that were directly related to Sonamy--I hope this makes sense! haha)
In short, Flynn describes Sonamy as "kindred spirits" and "poetry in motion" and describes Sonally as a "yin and yang" of "opposites attract," and in that sense, I see the appeal of both sides. Sally is a highly intelligent, natural-born leader with a sense of justice. Her level-headed nature gives Sonic a landing place when he needs to chill out (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc).
To speak very personally to it, I never understood Sonally because I've never gravitated to the "opposites attract" formula--I simply never understood their chemistry, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist! I'm heavily more invested in Sonamy for a myriad of reasons you'll find all over my blog, but my affections for them shouldn't detract from other people's affections for Sonally! I'm not yucking any yums!
All in all, I hope this helped you a bit!
